Crema Catalana

Serves: 5

Clair Leannon

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

54

Spice

43

Sweetness

49

Sourness

45

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2.5 tbsps

Cornstarch

Directions:

1

Refrigerate until ready to serve

2

In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the milk, and stir to dissolve cornstarch

3

In a medium saucepan, heat remaining milk with the lemon peel, vanilla bean and seeds, and cinnamon stick, stirring

4

Just before milk comes to a boil, turn off the heat, cover pan and set aside

5

In a large, heavy saucepan whisk together the eggs, sugar and reserved cornstarch mixture

6

Remove lemon peel from the milk, and slowly add the milk (and cinnamon stick) to the egg mixture, whisking constantly

7

Place pan over low heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 10 minutes

8

Remove the cinnamon stick and discard

9

Strain the custard into a large measuring cup or bowl with a pouring spout, then pour the strained custard into 6 ovenproof ramekins

10

Just before serving, heat a flat metal spatula over a hot gas flame

11

Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of sugar over each custard, and then touch the surface of the sugar with the hot spatula just long enough to caramelize it

12

(Alternative methods for caramelizing are to place ramekins under a broiler, or use a small blow-torch)